Best Place and Time to See Northern Lights 2020-2035

Want to know exactly where and when to see Northern Lights? Discover the best place and time to see Northern Lights across the globe, inc best years, months and locations for your trip in this article.

The Aurora Borealis is one of the most stunning and captivating displays of nature anywhere around the globe. However, due to the extra work required to plan a trip to see Northern Lights, many people may put off their vacation for years, or their whole lives.

It need not be difficult, however. To make your planning and research easier, we’ve put together this quick list and comparison table of where and when to see the Northern Lights, so you can easily work out the best place and time for your aurora borealis vacation.

Best Place and Time to See Northern Lights (Comparison Table)

This is just a quick snapshot of the best place and time to see the Northern Lights. It is not an exhaustive list, just a summary of the most popular and reliable locations. For more detail on where and when to see Northern Lights, read on.

Where and when to see Northern Lights

Best place and time to see Northern Lights

Ultimately, the best place and time to see Northern Lights is above 65° N latitude, between late September to March.

If you plan your vacation within these parameters, and allow at least 4 days for your stay, you have a very good chance of seeing the Northern Lights.

As a general rule, any locations within the Arctic Circle are the best aurora viewing spots, at latitude 65° N or higher. Locations at latitude 60–65° north are also ok, but less ideal. Alaska and the northern regions of the Nordic countries are the best choices.

September through March provide the most prolonged hours of darkness, making it the ideal time to see this fascinating natural phenomenon. In particular, the months of March and September are the best. This is because the skies are relatively clear, the temperature is mild, and it is said that there is more solar activity around the equinox. While the skies are darker from November to February, there is also a greater likelihood of cloud cover especially in December and January.

If you are flexible with your travel, you should also consider the best years for seeing the Northern Lights. As discussed in our Northern Lights 2020 to 2035 schedule, the best years for seeing Aurora is expected to be late-2024 to early-2026. The years around this are also good, but 2024–2026 will see peak auroral activity according to scientific predictions.

Places and times to avoid on a Northern Lights trip

April to August should be avoided for a Northern Lights vacation because there are too many daylight hours, especially in Arctic regions that experience Midnight Sun. This includes Alaska, northern Canada, and Nordic countries… basically all the good aurora viewing locations.

Locations below 60° N latitude should be avoided for a trip to see the Northern Lights. Latitude 60–65° N is ok for viewing the lights during periods of high activity, but it is best to aim for a vacation location at 65° N or higher. For a northern lights vacation, you should therefore avoid the United States Lower 48, southern Canada, UK, mainland Europe, and southern parts of Russia. You can see the aurora in these places occasionally, but don’t rely on it.

You can easily find the latitude of any location on Google Maps, by clicking on the map. The box that pops up when you put down a marker will tell you the latitude and longitude.

There are a range of other factors that come into play when choosing the best place and time to see the Northern Lights. You can read more in our articles on the best time to see the northern lights, the best places to see northern lights, and the best countries to see the aurora.

NORTH AMERICA

Best Place and Time to See Northern Lights in Alaska

Where:

• Fairbanks
• Denali National Park and Preserve

When:

• September
• October
• November (early–mid)
• March
• April (early)

For those looking to see the Northern Lights for the first time, the city of Fairbanks, which is sometimes referred to as the “Golden Heart of Alaska,” is an optimal choice. It is easy to get to and has a wide variety of lodging options, food establishments, activities, and opportunities to observe the northern lights, including northern lights excursions. In addition, you may leave the city limits in a matter of minutes and arrive at places that provide spectacular vantage points.

Alaska’s winter temperatures can plunge well below zero, making proper clothing absolutely critical for safe aurora viewing. Experienced aurora chasers recommend investing in insulated winter parkas rated for extreme cold and insulated winter boots that can handle prolonged exposure to Arctic conditions. See our recommendations below.

If you are looking for something more off the beaten track, Denali National Park and Preserve is a popular location for campers and hikers due to its vast open spaces, breathtaking mountain panoramas, and diverse wildlife. The park is situated around far north of Anchorage. It has over 2.5 million hectares of pristine wilderness. Because there is very little light pollution in the park, it is also considered to be one of the greatest spots in the United States to see the aurora borealis. The fall is the time of year with the clearest skies, making it the ideal time to observe the dancing auroras. You could even be able to view the lights as early as the middle of August.

If you’re planning to camp or spend extended time in remote locations like Denali, you’ll need equipment designed for Arctic conditions. See our recommendations below.

Other great spots are Coldfoot and Talkeetna. Situated in the Arctic region of Alaska, Coldfoot is regarded as one of the best places to view the northern lights during Winter seasons. Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve is the most northern national park in the United States. There are a number of aurora adventure tours that bring visitors to this location as well as Wiseman, which is located approximately 15 miles to the north of here.

Talkeetna is a historic town with a number of ancient clapboard houses, log cabins, and even a roadhouse that dates back to 1917, making it possible to enjoy the winter outdoors in a variety of ways in addition to hunting for the northern lights. Each December they run Winterfest, which includes the Taste of Talkeetna food festival.

Best Place and Time to See Northern Lights in Canada

Where:

• Yellowknife
• Whitehorse, Yukon

When:

• September
• October
• November (early–mid)
• March
• April (early)

Yellowknife is the ideal location in Canada from which to see the Aurora Borealis. Because of the city’s beautiful evenings, flat environment, and location right on the edge of the auroral oval, there is a very high probability that you will see them in this less crowded Canadian area. To get the most out of your trip, plan to be in Yellowknife between late September and early April.

Given its position and latitude, the Yukon is also considered one of the greatest spots to see the Northern Lights. You may discover some of the greatest hotels in Canada for seeing the Northern Lights in Whitehorse, which is known as the “Aurora capital” in Yukon. The Northern Lights Resort & Spa is one such hotel, and has specially designed chalets with wide windows through which you can observe the Northern Lights.

EUROPE

Best Place and Time to See Northern Lights in Iceland

Where:

• Westfjord, Iceland

When:

• September
• October
• November (early–mid)
• March
• April (early)

If you go to Iceland in the winter, you may be able to get a glimpse of the dazzling aurora borealis dancing over the breathtaking landscape. This stunning nation’s latitude of 65 degrees north places it squarely inside the path of the spectacular northern lights.

The isolated island of Westfjords, North Iceland, and the black sand beaches in the region surrounding Vik are some of the most important sites in Iceland to see the aurora borealis. In Iceland, during the winter, you can do many fascinating activities, and one of them is seeing the northern lights. Imagine exploring caves made of ice, soaking in natural hot springs, and so much more!

Best Place and Time to See Northern Lights in Norway

Where:

• North Cape, Norway

When:

• September
• October
• November (early–mid)
• March
• April (early)

It is possible to drive all the way to Europe’s most northernmost point, which is called the North Cape and may be found in the municipality of Nordkapp. It is a lovely spot to observe the Northern Lights and is one of the most famous tourist destinations in the world in the north. There are trips that can take you there on a snowmobile, and you can book one of those tours here. You may go on an aurora safari into the wilderness or go on a boat to see the enchanted light display from the water.

Best Place and Time to See Northern Lights in Sweden & Finland

Where:

• Lapland (Northern Sweden & Finland)

When:

• September
• October
• November (early–mid)
• March
• April (early)

The northernmost regions of Sweden and Finland are situated inside the Arctic Circle and the belt of the northern lights, making them ideal locations from which to see the aurora borealis. Lapland is the name given to this area, encompassing parts of both Finland and Sweden.

If you take a trip to Lapland in Sweden or Finland, you will have an excellent opportunity to view the Northern Lights. Lapland satisfies all of your requirements, including having minimal levels of light pollution, dark winter sky, and active sunspots. When these elements come together, the aurora puts on an unforgettable display for you.

Essential Gear for Aurora Photography & Viewing

Conclusion

Getting away from the monotony of everyday life and having a one-of-a-kind experience is one of the primary reasons people travel all over the world in search of new and exciting opportunities. And seeing the aurora borealis in person is widely regarded as one of the most extraordinary things a person can do in their lifetime.

For more detail on where and when to see Northern Lights, check out our articles:

• The Best Place to See Northern Lights (in the World)
• What are the Best Countries to See Northern Lights?
• Best Time of the Year to See Northern Lights
• What are the Best Years to See Aurora? Northern Lights Schedule 2020 to 2035

Sources and Further Reading

• NASA, https://www.nasa.gov/aurora
• Space Weather Prediction Center, https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/phenomena/aurora
• Travel Alaska, https://www.travelalaska.com/Things-To-Do/Northern-Lights